The Quarterly Xplorer: Q4 2022
A HUGE and GENUINE THANK YOU to our growing base of online supporters that helped Xplorer Maps enjoy our greatest sales and engagement quarter in our 10-year history. We are always committed to improving the customer experience and have some exciting things planned for Q1 of 2023 to help serve you better. But first, here’s a brief look back at the last few months of 2022.
Q4 HIGHLIGHTS
Philanthropy & Partnership Updates
We reached out to you to help us help them, and so many of you responded! As we mentioned previously, Sanibel-Captiva Island and the people who live and work down there have become a very important “family” for Xplorer Maps since we partnered with the Captiva Historical Society 6 years ago to create the original and custom hand-drawn map for them.
We launched our campaign of support in early October and as a result of Sanibel-related product sales over the next few weeks, Xplorer Maps was able to donate $550 to FISH.
Thank you Xplorer Maps customers for helping show our support for the ongoing cleanup and restoration efforts on Sanibel and Captiva Islands after the destruction of Hurricane Ian in late September. We appreciate you all so very, very much!
Giving Tuesday
This year, the recipient of our Giving Tuesday campaign was Ecology Project International and this year’s donation amount was $200.
As we shared previously, Xplorer Maps and EPI formed a collaborative partnership in May of 2022 to render a custom hand-drawn map of Costa Rica to help bring attention to and awareness of their Pacuare Preserve. Excitedly, the initial map project research is now complete and the actual artwork (drawn entirely by hand by Chris Robitaille, Xplorer Maps co-founder, and artist) will begin this spring. Chris and his daughter Becca will be traveling to Costa Rica to meet our local partners in Costa Rica and experience first-hand the amazing flora, fauna, culture, and people of our latest destination “story” map.
Please take a few minutes to check out Ecology Project International and everything they have going on worldwide; it’s an amazingly diverse organization! Xplorer Maps is just getting started with what is shaping up to be a very long-term relationship to help support their missions; locally in our hometown of Missoula, Montana but also globally with EPI’s educational and conservation efforts in Belize, Baja, the Galapagos, Hawaii, Yellowstone, and Rocky Mountain National Parks and of course, Costa Rica. Should be quite fun for many years to come!!
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
Again, just a quick update from our other main collaborative partnership for 2022; the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority; also based in Missoula, MT but made up of a broad coalition of partners within their organization from more than a dozen states and hundreds of local communities.
In Q3 of 2022, the fundraising campaign officially got underway and already, more than 30 signed and numbered Limited Edition Giclee prints were sold to avid rail supporters nationwide and the original artwork is currently up for auction as well. Thus far, Xplorer Maps has donated more than $5,000 to BSPRA and the next 12 months are crucial to this campaign to bring passenger rail back to the “northern” states from Chicago to Seattle and many more “spur” routes in between.
……and HOPES Q1 2023
NEW MAPS
Beginning mid-February, the entire product line for our most recently released maps (New Hampshire; Pennsylvania; Chesapeake Bay (MD/VA); and Cape May (NJ) will be available to purchase online. Now offering 17 accompanying map gifts across each of our 50 map designs, Xplorer Maps provides the perfect unique travel gift for family and friends from coast to coast and many places in between.
“STATE PRIDE” MONTHLY FEATURE
We are super excited to begin highlighting one of our custom hand-drawn state maps each month for 2023. Emily Rose, our social media and communications guru, will be compiling cool stories featuring each state’s most amazing and proud music; food; literature; camping; and more! Based on when these states entered the Union, we will have monthly promos on these special days. JANUARY IS MICHIGAN!!
Please check out our socials to follow, engage, and chime in with YOUR favorites.
NEW PRODUCTS
…….HAS FINALLY ARRIVED in our warehouses!! Effective January 23rd, the new 16 oz. stainless steel hot/cold drinkware is available across all 50+ map designs. This product has become an instant “best-seller” with pre-orders from store owners nationwide. Be among the first to travel in style!
Please stay tuned for updated information as we announce the official release in late January.
In the early days of December, Xplorer Maps rolled out our new natural stone “collage coaster sets” in very limited supply for the holidays. These coasters are made from gorgeous tumbled Turkish stone and make for a uniquely beautiful family or friend gift for any occasion.
Priced at only $50 per set and packaged in a pretty sweet custom coaster box, these new coaster sets are in stock right now for our Montana, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Flathead Lake maps. Beginning February 15th, these high-quality home decor accents will be available for all 50+ of our map designs.
Kitchen Towels
Rolling out March 15th, our new 100% cotton “flour sack” kitchen towels will be available across all 50+ map designs as well. Each is being sold individually so we can create your own collection of story map kitchen towels commemorating your favorite places.
We’re cleaning up our “Rewards” program and offering even more incentives as our numbers and engagement grow. Stay tuned for the new features and highlights to be re-launched on March 1st. And thanks to everyone for your awesome support of our online Shopify platform. We are committed to enhancing your shopping experience and have added another customer support position to help facilitate this growth in demand.
